Why We Hate

"Why We Hate" is a gripping, six-part docuseries that aired over Discovery Channel in 2019. It provides an in-depth exploration of the science and sociology behind the most destructive and powerful emotions in our human experience: hatred. Co-produced by legendary filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Alex Gibney, the series presents a comprehensive look at human behaviour, tracing the roots of hatred and revealing the unimaginable dark side of our species.

Each episode of "Why We Hate" utilises stories from different times, cultures, and places around the globe as tangible illustrations of the main theme. The series addresses everything from genocide and racism to extremism and tribalism. The stories are plugged into the narrative with an eye toward deconstructing the origin, impact, and manifestation of hate in our lives, identity, and societies.

These riveting accounts do not only offer audiences a front-row seat to the turmoil and havoc hate has wreaked in the past. They also establish the backdrop for unveiling the subtle and complex mechanics underpinning this raw emotion. As the layers unravel, viewers are guided deeper into the factors that contribute to the birth and development of hatred within individuals and communities.

Journalism and first-person testimony from victims, perpetrators and bystanders of hate crimes allow the series to paint a vivid picture of how hatred operates on ground zero. But, it is more than just an observational chronicling of human atrocities. "Why We Hate" collaborates with scientists, psychologists, historians, and other experts in relevant fields, embedding individual narratives within a broader context.

The series calls on leading international scholars who shed light on the biological basis of hate, tying together elements of human evolution, psychology, and sociology. This marriage of personal stories with the scientific exploration of the origins and processes of hate takes the series beyond the realms of history and storytelling. It transports viewers into the laboratories of neuroscientists and psychologists who are studying the brain to understand how hate develops at an individual level.

The result is an engaging narrative that roots the history of hate in primitive survival instinct and complex cognitive processes. It provides insight into the ways fear, misconception, and 'othering' can morph into disdain and eventually, into destructive hate. It delves into the neurological pathways of hate, demonstrating that while hate may be instinctive, it can also be fostered or even manipulated by personal experiences and societal conditioning.

Furthermore, "Why We Hate" extends its examination to the intricate ways in which hate metastasizes within societies. The series underscores powerful socio-cultural forces that shape our understandings of self and the other, such as media, propaganda, politics, and ideology. It exposes how powerful institutions and systems can fuel hatred, influencing communities, and entire countries, as witnessed throughout history.

Despite painstakingly dissecting the dark recesses of the human mind and the gruesome impacts of hate, the series does not settle for depicting a bleak picture of humanity. "Why We Hate" is also a story of hope. It demonstrates how understanding hate—its roots, mechanisms, and impacts—can equip us with the tools needed to mitigate and deconstruct this dangerous emotion. It introduces the audience to methods and strategies designed for countering and combating hatred, epitomized in tales of resilience, change, and redemption interspersed throughout the series.

Just as it delves into hate's deepest underpinnings, the series also showcases ways in which empathy, love and tolerance can be nurtured. It underscores the powerful potential of education, dialogue, and positive exposure to diversity in fostering an understanding and acceptance of 'otherness', ultimately undoing the psychological process of dehumanizing that often precedes hate.

"Why We Hate" is an insightful and thought-provoking journey, offering viewers an opportunity to examine the worst, and surprisingly, the best, that humans have to offer. By travelling through the peaks and valleys of potent human emotions, it challenges audiences to understand the underlying mechanisms of hate, highlighting the importance of empathy and acceptance in our globalized world. It strikes the delicate balance between hard-hitting journalism, historical enquiry, and scientific investigation, ultimately unveiling the transformative power of understanding.